The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement against Israel is increasing its “non-violent” pressure upon the international community to seek victory over Israel vis a vis the Palestinian Arab conflict that has not been achieved either militarily or through UN efforts. Describing Israel as an apartheid state has become an effective tool in this campaign, despite this claim being a manipulative exaggeration and false comparison to what true apartheid is.
This movement has also attracted the support of Palestinian Christians, and major church denominations and organizations in Europe and North America.
“At the center of these efforts lays a document with the full title “A moment of truth: A word of faith, hope, and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering.” Known as the Kairos Palestine Document, this December 2009 appeal from Palestinian Christians asks the world’s churches to use “boycott and disinvestment as tools of non-violence for justice, peace and security for all,” and the international community to begin “a system of economic sanctions and boycott to be applied against Israel.
“During these past [five] years, the document and Kairos Palestine, the organization behind it, have infused church-based activism for Palestine with focus and clarity.” (quoted from www.bdsmovement.net)
What worries me is the motive of some of those who claim to believe the Bible as God’s Word. It reminds me of the false prophet Balaam, who, although he could not curse Israel as he was hired to do — but could only officially bless Israel according to the Word of YHVH to him — yet he advised a way to undermine the sanctity and unity of this unique nation.
Balaam’s motive was to get honor and money, even though he knew that his advice, by being carried out, would weaken Israel and her people — against the very word of God that he proclaimed with open eyes that only blessed this chosen people of the true God, who gave him to see the glorious end beyond the present sinfulness. (Num 22 – 25; Jude 11) Is this not also true for the Church, the Body of Messiah?! No weapon formed against Israel will succeed; neither will the gates of Sheol/Hades prevail against the Church.
Many of these Christians speak, on the one hand, that the Jewish people and Israel are still the chosen of God; while, on the other hand, seek ways to delegitimize Israel’s existence and her capacity to govern, and taking up valuable resources in a campaign whose goals are no different than those who are outspoken in the use of violence to obtain the same objectives.